Concluding The Third Annual Coint and Plick Poll: ILG’s Best Video Games of 2009 - Part Four: #1 through #20

uncharted is not a FPS

oh, i know.

do u

uncharted has extremely well employed triggered events but that's not the same thing at all.

Dragon's Lair is like an entire game of triggered events! But yes, Uncharted also has some good gunplay parts and some (incredibly easy) puzzles.

i guess the difference is how you are able to respond to the triggered event, which in uncharted is usually a lot more open than, say, qtes (dragon's lair being the grandaddy of qte as a 'gameplay' tool). i tend to dislike triggered events because they are usually done so badly or lazily, but uncharted really makes them stitch in seamlessly. i have been very impressed, enough so that i think this aspect of the game is a huge plus instead of a potential flaw.

They are incredibly well-implemented in the game. Uncharted was in my top 5, for what it's worth.

most surprising thing about Uncharted 2 finishing so low is that it didn't get any 1st place votes.

Hate to ruin the surprise but Arkham Asylum is obv #1

tossup between that and L4D2 IMO

good games tho.

I had no idea retro game challenge existed =( seems like a fun ds game to have for long trips..

Whoa this list is shocking me now. Nice to be wrong!

Retro Game Challenge placing above GTA IV episodes, Uncharted 2 and Modern Warfare 2 = FAITH IN ILG RESTORED!

that flash basketball game

what was that?

http://www.onlinegames.com/basketball/

the real surprise was uncharted placing tht low

no MW2 is a top ten game but there's no way UC2 is not a top 3 game

easy game to play one billion hours of a week, hard game to love
― wall•egina (s1ocki), Tuesday, February 9, 2010 8:36 PM (2 hours ago) Bookmark Suggest Ban Permalink

thx polyphonic

shoulda given L4D2 more love then I did, its grown on me.

Hate to ruin the surprise but Plants Vs Zombies is obv #1

skewed by casuals the fake headline reads

http://origin.aintitcool.com/images2007/cass.jpg
ws tho

I think every single person on this board used up half their points on their favourite iPhone/flash/casual game thinking heh heh this will blow their minds and now look at the shame that follows

^^ lol, YES.

top five: SFIV, L4D2, Demons' Souls, PvZ, Arkham Asylum? Why are people bigging up L4D2 all of a sudden? That game seems to have passed me right by.

Dragon's Age will be in there. FIFA maybe?

well i know what 3 of them are going 2 b because i voted for them but really im crazy curious to no who else gave a bunch of points to atelier rorona

lol @ no1 giving a goty vote to mw2 or uncharted 2 goty votes

That is funny, I didn't notice that, or expect that!

No Brutal Legend placing kinda a shock.

Not really - everybody was pretty hyped for it, then it came out and there was a huge wash of disappointment about it being an RTS or some such thing. Sounds worse than the bad platforming in Psychonauts.

I bet Dragon Age takes #1

I think every single person on this board used up half their points on their favourite iPhone/flash/casual game thinking heh heh this will blow their minds and now look at the shame that follows

― antexit, Tuesday, February 9, 2010 6:50 PM (2 hours ago) Bookmark Suggest Ban Permalink

lol umm... why do you think that

we should post this list on digg or something just to blow every gamer nerd's mind... we'll get billions of visitors

man! i'm really amazed by these results. If I were MW2 I'd feel so... I don't know, USED.

I think # of voters really made a difference here - for example, I've given up on shooters so no MW2 and no Uncharted 2 on my ballot.

Still, with the amount of chatter on that thread you'd think ONE person would have voted it GOTY. Even Episodes from Liberty City got a half vote! Maybe everyone suddenly soured it on it the last month? TBH that's what I thought would happen with SFIV and nobody would vote for it since it came out so long ago, but that doesn't look to be the case...

Everyone still loves it! I'll bet everyone on the MW2 thread still puts in at least six hours a week. Somehow the amount people enjoy games no longer correlates to how they rate them. Imagine if this happened over on ILM! It'd be like everyone voting for the The Knife opera or whatever the eff and they secretly listen to Nickelback ten times a day.

#15: FIFA Soccer 2010 – PS3/360 – 57 pts – 4 votes – 1 Top Game Vote
Official Game Site

http://xbox360media.ign.com/xbox360/image/article/102/1027537/fifa-soccer-10-20090923052720529_640w.jpg

Metacritic

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2FM4UPrAjnc

EZ Snappin: I waited until now to jump into FIFA, and my wait paid off in spades. Be A Pro mode as fun as anything else this year.

http://xbox360media.ign.com/xbox360/image/article/102/1027537/fifa-soccer-10-20090923052722201_640w.jpg

Developer Interview

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MahxAiB_opM

If: If we're just going on what I spent the most time on this year I think this might just about get it. The temptation to go online for one game and just keep playing more is immense; especially when someone keeps offering you a rematch and you just know you could beat them again. The refinements from the already impressive 09 are really noticeable. The way that the ball bounces around and deflects off players feels remarkably realistic and pulling off an awesome long ball down the wing, Arshavin chip goal from a stupid angle, or cynical foul to avoid a certain equalizer, is more satisfying than ever.

http://ps3media.ign.com/ps3/image/article/990/990305/e3-2009-fifa-soccer-10-screenshots-20090602100436495_640w.jpg

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nBihHygCXE8

Sondrangerbot: I played this more than any other game. Lots of stupid flaws to it but the gameplay alone is close to perfection.

http://xbox360media.ign.com/xbox360/image/article/989/989290/fifa-soccer-10-20090602070735176_640w.jpg

Cozwn: Messi plus 360 control is sublime.

#14: Street Fighter IV – 360 – 58 pts – 5 votes - 1.5 Top Game Vote
Official Game Site

http://janisgodins.files.wordpress.com/2009/07/street-fighter.jpg

Metacritic

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hnvVNfqqkZ4

Antexit: What a drag that I suck at this gorgeous, balanced and deep game as bad as I do, and that I was too busy playing the ten games on my list along with twenty or more to get any better at SFIV.

http://www.threesixtyvault.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/02/streetfighter-iv.jpg

Sirlin would like to say

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ClmJErV9lBE

Cozwn: SO PSYCHED YOU GUYS!!

http://www.thekoalition.com/wp-content/gallery/super-street-fighter-iv-oct-2/super-street-fighter-4-oct-2-7.jpg

SFIV Snuggie

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l3AXAfX1Ef8

JeffLevine: While a less than perfect online system was a bit of a disappointment, overall, Street Fighter IV showed me what a great deep, challenging experience a 1 vs 1 fighter can be. It's definitely a case where the more you put in the more you get out. I've put in a over a hundred hours and feel like I barely scratched the game's surface. It seems like a timeless classic, except one has the sneaking suspicion 2010's Super Street Fighter IV will be an improvement.

http://blogs.mirror.co.uk/techno-techno-techno/css/Street%20Fighter%20IV.jpg

Producer Interview

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nlpsvq0k4MI

HIDERE: I don't play this nearly as often as I should but it's still fucking boss. DHALSIM FOREVER

soccer games lulz britisher gamerz

#13: Flower – PSN – 59 pts – 7 votes - Top PSN Game
Official Game Site

http://media.crispygamer.com/screenshot/Title904/flower_19-640x.jpg

Metacritic

Antexit: This and Canabalt, best one-button games in years. Beautiful and ethereal and stoner-y and like nothing but itself.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nJam5Auwj1E

Jamescobo: I pretty much love this. I'm not quite know sure how to talk about it without sounding like one of those Games As Art turds, but this game is so great and I apparently haven't even gotten to the revelatory part yet (fortunately the game gives you a trophy for sitting at the start screen for 10 minutes, which is conveniently just enough time to write furious emails/posts to e-bros to get off they asses and buy this game NOW NOW NOW) that it may be unavoidable. It pretty much single-handedly justifies the purchase of a 1080p tv.

http://gamer.blorge.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/ps3-flower.jpg

Forksclovetofu: PS3 showing up the Wii pretty badly here. Much better after a few drinks but don’t watch if someone else is playing; U WILL BE SICK.

http://playstationlifestyle.net/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/flower.jpg

Polyphonic: Cool interactive screensaver, bro.

Gamasutra

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RUC2tpY5gb4

Edgertor: Better in concept than execution, but still unusual and fun.

http://media.crispygamer.com/screenshot/Title904/flower_33-640x.jpg

Webber : The game ended up being more linear than I hoped, but playing the first few levels where nothing can hurt you and there's not much of a point was incredibly relaxing. More games that aren't really games, please!

Developer Interview

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pA015AkJ8vY

Jeff LeVine: A very unique experience. I've certainly played no other game like it. The art, music, motion control and vibration worked together really well. As original as it is however, I just didn't find it terribly compelling. There's really not much game there. It's also way fucking schmaltzy.

Not sure, but I think #12 had the highest point per vote average.

#12: Rittai Picross / Picross 3-D – DS – 60 pts – 3 votes – 1 Top Game Vote
Official Game Site

http://www.theicecave.org/damage_control/multimedia/picross3Dpic_061409.jpg

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=808s-6hYuew

http://www.romulation.net/files/screenshots/roms/NDS/26600/sd0cee316f2f273fe83c94c45af7e996d.jpg

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ACFi8CKEHSA

Forksclovetofu: As killer as apps get; easy to pick up and play and immediately engaging. I'm expecting this to take over America the instant it’s released here.

http://whengamessuck.files.wordpress.com/2009/12/f0045321_499502a76f3e3.jpg

Siliconera

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yBfE0r3Uqbg

JimD: Picross in 3D stops being a pen and paper logic puzzle and turns into a hammer and chisel logic puzzle! Chipping away at a big block until you're left with a little 3D sculpture is just hugely satisfying. And the chewiness of the puzzles is just right too, they're consistently challenging, sometimes infuriating, lots of fun. Even the time limits are perfectly judged (man, the number of times I've lost a star by being 5 seconds too slow...). So somehow this has ended up being my game of the year.

Risque Picross

when is that getting a Western release? I want want want it but I don't do the r4 thing.

oh i didnt even know that was a THING

cool

#11: Left 4 Dead 2 – 360 – 60 pts – 5 vote - .5 Top Game Vote
Official Game Site

http://www.geek.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/left-4-dead-2-200907070957099851-580x328.jpg

Metacritic

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E-8NSjJ7Fq4

BNW: Slightly disappointing. While there's new content here, none of it seems as inspired as the original.

http://favoniangamers.files.wordpress.com/2009/07/left-4-dead-2.jpg

Scratch that boycott

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3kk46sGMuro

Jjjusten: So it's 2009, and big shock, we're all still out here shooting virtual zombies. Fortunately, unlike shooting virtual nazis, zombie killing never gets old. Lots of people got all bent out of shape about this one because of Valves longstanding "give you shit-tons of stuff for free forever" approach, but they can all shut up - this is not just some map pack bullshit, this is a whole different game. WAY improved over the original in every way, AI director is leaps forward, melee weapons are a game-changing addition, maps are far more intricate, replayablity is endless. I'm not even sure how they had the time to make a sequel this good in such a short period of time, but there's no question, this is worth every penny. So boohoo indignant fanboys, go back and play Counterstrike for the 4 billionth time and shut the fuck up.

http://cache.g4tv.com/images/ImageDb3/168371_S/Left-4-Dead-2-Spitter.jpg

The Wire Connection

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-W3vSBUDOSM

Polyphonic: Best cooperative video game experience ever. Valve took a great game and made it even better. My buddy John has a setup where we have two 360s in one room, and we play four-player campaigns together. There is a great deal of collaborative hysteria.

http://favoniangamers.files.wordpress.com/2009/09/left_4_dead_2_jockey.jpg

Developer Interview

AYO SUCK IT XBOXERS

the challops continue!

Yeah, didn't think L4D2 would go top 5. Too much like L4D imo.

On Picross 3D - just came out in Europe, won't come to the US til August or September apparently.

wolfenstein RPG?!

Oh yeah, I've got that game. If I had realized it came out this year I would've voted for it.

go for it jamescobo!

just bought trash panic btw, will report back

I reluctantly accept this high-paying, largely ceremonial position

http://cointandplick.wordpress.com

someone make a logo. also if anyone wants on the blogroll holla at yr boy.

voted 5 stars!

also (pedant) if you want to fix the spelling of my name in that first post, i will not be angry

intersting

So I guess I'll give batman a second chance. I hated that demo so much though, I was REALLY BORED within five minutes. Clearly I missed something. Going to grab it again today and give it another go.

Forks, u hero. I'd like to buy you a pint! Paypal? :-)

still haven't bought batman ;_;

might go grab it today actually

Oh, and my votes were:

Plants vs Zombies - 5pts
Fallout 3: Point Lookout - 5pts
Beatles Rock Band - 5pts
Retro Game Challenge - 5pts
Tekken 6 - 10pts
Bayonetta - 10pts
1 vs 100 - 10pts
Battlefield 1943 - 10pts
Shadow Complex - 10pts
Rittai Picross - 30pts

Should've finessed my scoring a bit really, kinda nuts that I gave tekken 6 the same score as bayonetta.

(In other news, I fiddled around in some of the deeper menus of Rittai Picross last night, trying to get the text to turn english...and managed to delete my savegame and my 235 completed puzzles, NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO). Will wait for the euro one before I restart, I think.

cozen how did you log 600 hours on SFIV and not then vote for it

keen observation lol

i played an assload of NHL 10 and didn't vote for it. some games you play because they're a sickness.

MW2 IMO

that site is awesome!
I'll take you upon that pint sometime.

btw I will be adding in the comments I was too lazy to include with my ballot into the results here. EDITORIAL DISCRETION~

when you're driving, you can make detours.

omg I missed so much by having images off

those would be good last words

ayo jamescobo, if you want to add the hi dere and jjjusten collaborative and inactive blog to yer blogroll, cool. http://jjjusten.blogspot.com/

done and done

The blog looks awesome btw!

standing on the shoulders of giants, etc.

also if'n anyone wants to make a ILG/C&P logo I'll gladly put it up top

i say keep it text-exclusive, like this board

Guys, I played Hatsworth and it's bonkers amazing. So much fun, such innovative mechanics, etc, etc. I'm loving it.